Minutes of Proceedings

The Chairman called the meeting to order in Closed Session at 9.38am.

1. Rural Development Programme Strategy - Researchers' Briefing.

1.1 The Chairman welcomed Mr Rab McConaghy and Mr Kevin Pelan from the Assembly Research Services, who referred to their papers on the Department's Rural Development Strategy.

1.2 Mr McConaghy explained that the Strategy represents the third phase of the Rural Development Programme, and seeks to address last December's PAC Report findings.

1.3 The researchers covered the background and context of the Strategy and discussed various elements with members, including the linkage between the Strategy and the Structural Fund arrangements 2000-2006.

Mr McHugh and Mr Bradley attended the meeting at 9.49am. Mr Douglas attended the meeting at 9.54am.

1.4 There was some discussion on the need to focus at this point on matters overall, and to distinguish between the Rural Development Strategy and its place as part of the Rural Development Programme Inquiry.

1.5 The Chairman thanked the Researchers, who left the table at 10.07am.

The Chairman declared the meeting to be in Open Session at 10.08am.

2. Rural Development Strategy - Evidence session as part of the Committee's Inquiry into the Rural Development Programme.

2.1 The Chairman welcomed DARD officials Mr Gerry McWhinney and Mr Alan Morton and invited members who might have an interest in the subject matter of this agenda item to declare their interest. Messrs Bradley, Douglas, Kane and McHugh made declarations of interest. The Chairman invited the DARD officials to speak.

2.2 Mr McWhinney explained the background to the Strategy, which is intended to provide a flexible framework that will be inclusive of all interests. He referred to the Department's document that sets out the five strands of the Strategy. In response to members' questions he also covered finance (which should amount to over £100m), consultation, focus on LFAs, and flexibility.

Mr Ford attended the meeting at 10.24am.

2.3 Mr McWhinney and Mr Morton answered further questions from members on implementation; appointments; involvement of farmers; appraisal and evaluation; planning; cross-Departmental aspect; co-ordination of delivery; inclusive partnerships in each of the five target areas; training; interim funding; and staffing.

2.4 The Chairman advised the officials that all questions to which the Committee required answers could not be dealt with in the time available.

2.5 Resolved: that the Clerk would write to DARD seeking answers to further questions as set out in the papers before the members, and that DARD response would be considered at the Committee's next meeting.

2.6 The Chairman thanked the DARD officials who left the meeting at 10.56am. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at that point.

The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 11.03am, at which time Messrs Armstrong, Bradley, Dallat, Ford, Kane, Douglas, Molloy, and McHugh were also present.

3. Update on the Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak.

3.1 The Chairman welcomed the Minister and DARD officials Mr Pat Toal (Under Secretary) and Dr Bob McCracken (Chief Veterinary Officer) at 11.04am and invited the Minister to make a statement.

3.2 The Minister made a short statement on the current position, including the conditional achievement of regionalisation, the commencement of a 'firebreak' cull, compensation, relaxation of some restrictions, the need to remain vigilant, and appreciation for the support of the main farming organisations.

3.3 The Minister then answered questions from members about disposal arrangement for the culled animals; negotiations with the farmers concerned; compensation comparisons with the GB and the Republic of Ireland; advice to organisers of public events; the resumption of livestock marts; discussions with farmers' representatives; animal movement permits; and controls at ports and other locations.

3.4 Members also paid tribute to the efforts of the Minister, and DARD staff on the ground in particular, in dealing effectively with the situation.

3.5 The Chairman thanked the Minister and her accompanying officials; they left at 11.45am; and the Chairman adjourned the meeting.

The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 11.58am. Messrs Bradley, Kane, Douglas, Molloy, and McHugh were also present.

4. Minutes of Proceedings on 23 March 2001.

4.1 Resolved: that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for 23 March 2001 were approved.

5. Statutory Rules.

5.1 Extensification Payments Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - Formal Consideration.

5.2 Messrs Bradley, Douglas, Kane and McHugh made declarations of interest.

5.3 The Chairman welcomed DARD officials Mr Michael Thompson (Grade 7) and Ms Maria Rice (Deputy Principal) to the meeting. The Chairman pointed out to the officials that proper procedures had not been followed in that the Rule had already been made without the Committee having had the opportunity to discuss it in advance. Mr Thompson apologised, and the Chairman asked him to make an opening statement.

5.4 Mr Thompson explained the provisions of the Rule, which deals with the implementation of EC extensification payments, including methods of calculating stocking density, information to be supplied, definition of pasture land, and inspection and enforcement provisions. He advised that it is the precursor to the release of some £24m to the farming industry.

Mr Ford returned to the meeting at 12.11pm.

5.5 Mr Thompson replied to members' questions; the Chairman thanked the officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.21pm.

5.6 The Committee deliberated.

Resolved: that the Committee had no objection to the Rule.

Resolved: that the Clerk would write to DARD to convey the Committee's concern that proper procedures were not followed in relation to consultation with the Committee on proposed legislation, and seeking an assurance that there would not be a recurrence.

Mr Armstrong returned to the meeting at 12.22pm.

5.7 Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - Proposal.

5.8 The Chairman welcomed DARD official Mr Brian Gallagher (Grade 7) to the meeting at 12.22pm. Mr Gallagher explained that the proposed regulations would consolidate, amend and improve on earlier 1981 regulations, and the results of extensive consultations were being taken into account.

5.9 Mr Gallagher responded to members' questions about marketing, costs and other issues.

Mr Ford left the meeting at 12.35pm.

5.10 A member raised a question about the reasons for rejection of a consultation proposal that seed and ware crops should not be grown on the same farm. Mr Gallagher undertook to let the Committee have information in writing on this point.

5.11 The Chairman thanked Mr Gallagher and he left the meeting at 12.38pm.

5.12 The Committee deliberated.

Resolved: that the Committee was content for DARD to proceed to make the Rule.

5.13 Fisheries and Aquaculture Structures (Grants) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - proposal.

5.14 The Chairman welcomed DARD officials Mr Jim Prentice (Grade 7) and Mr Peter Toner (Staff Officer) at 12.39pm and invited them to make a brief opening statement.

5.15 Mr Prentice explained that the purpose of the proposed regulations would be to provide the legal basis for payments to be made, and for penalties, for certain categories of investments, projects and actions in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

5.16 In response to members' questions it emerged that, although the decommissioning scheme would require separate legislation that would be subject to Committee consultation, the other projects for which payments under the proposed Rule would be made, would not require further legislative authority.

5.17 Members deliberated.

5.18 Resolved: that, in order to give full consideration to this proposed Rule, the Committee should seek further information from DARD on the activities under the Fisheries Measure that are in the pipeline for grant aid under these proposed regulations, including details of the decommissioning scheme.

5.19 Resolved: that DARD officials should be invited to attend the Committee's next meeting to brief members on those matters.

5.20 Strangford Lough (Prohibition of Fishing for Shellfish) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - proposal.

5.21 Members deliberated on this proposal to prohibit shellfishing from the inshore waters of Strangford Lough using any mechanically propelled vehicle except a fishing boat.

5.22 Resolved: that the Committee was content for DARD to proceed to make this Rule.

5.23 The Chairman thanked the DARD officials, and they left the meeting at 12.58pm.

6. Rural Development Strategy - continued.

6.1 Following a recap on the earlier sessions, members agreed a number of additional questions to be put and answered.

6.2 Resolved: that the Clerk will write to DARD, seeking answers to the additional questions, for consideration at the next Committee meeting.

7. Matters arising from the meeting on 23 March 2001.

7.1 Correspondence.Members noted copies of letters to the Minister on Foot and Mouth control arrangements; to the Department on Executive Programme Funds; and correspondence from the Finance and Personnel Committee Clerk about the handling of the whole Executive Programme Funds issue.

7.2 Fisheries issues.Members noted a fax message from ANIFPO thanking members for their support for the industry, and referring to the Department's press release (also noted) announcing a £21m range of measures to help the industry.

8. Any other business.

8.1 Spinal Cord in German Beef Incident.Members noted copies of positive responses from Commissioner Byrne and the First Secretary (Agriculture) at the German Embassy, to Committee representations following the incident when spinal cord was found in imported German beef. Members also considered a draft press release.

Resolved: that the Committee would issue a press release, featuring the Committee's concern about the incident and the German response.

8.2 Letter from Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Northern Ireland Centre.Members noted this letter offering the Centre's services, and agreed to hold for future reference.

8.3 Date for visit to the Loughs Agency. Members agreed to consider this at their next meeting.

8.4 Payments under Departmental Grant Schemes.Members noted the DARD reply indicating urgent action is being taken to effect payment.

8.5 Changes in Fishing Vessel Licensing and Capacity Penalties.Members noted a letter from DARD advising that the Department is consulting with relevant interests about changes in fishing vessel licensing and capacity penalties.

Resolved: that the Committee will seek information on the result of this exercise in due course.

8.6 Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme (PIRS).A number of members had been lobbied by constituents about the low success rate of applications under the PIRS. Members deliberated.

Resolved: that the Chairman would write to the Minister seeking statistics in relation to applications under the outgoers and ongoers schemes, and requesting the attendance of officials to discuss these matters at the next Committee meeting.

8.7 Children's Commissioner Inquiry.Members noted, without comment, a letter from the Clerk of the Committee of the Centre, advising the commencement of an Inquiry by that Committee into a proposal by OFMDFM to appoint an independent Commissioner for Children in Northern Ireland.

9. Date of Next Meeting.

9.1 Resolved: that the next meeting would take place on Friday 6 April 2001at 9.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairman brought the meeting to a close at 1.26pm.

Ian R K Paisley
Chairman